NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 19: Chapter 0019 – Entering The Training Forest
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"My lord, are you truly certain about this decision of yours? You have never trained before," Lilith said in a voice thick with worry. Her red-colored eyes filled with plea and hesitation after realizing that Xylen wasn't joking.
Hearing her, Xylen's lips curled into a calm smile. "I know this," he replied, his voice unwavering, showing that he had already made up his mind.
"This…" Lilith's expression twisted in distress. "But… but my lord, even the weakest creature in the forest is at least level one and according to rumor, there are boss creatures up to level 10. If something happens and I fail to protect you…" Her voice cracked, the weight of responsibility pressing heavily upon her.
'Boss up to level 10?' Xylen's heart couldn't help but skip a beat, wondering how a level 10 boss could be in a beginner training forest, but…
"My mind is made up," Xylen responded, letting out a soft sigh.
Seeing the certainty in his eyes, Lilith clenched her fists before inhaling deeply. "I will prepare the weapons then, my lord, and make sure the area is clear so I can sneak you out."
Xylen nodded his head and without hesitation, Lilith turned around, leaving the room.
With this, Xylen turned his attention to the countdown.
"I still have over twenty-three hours," he muttered, feeling a small sense of relief. Then his gaze sharpened. "I should check my increased stats now… "
Without hesitation, he summoned his status window, and in the following second;
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|| S T A T U S ||
Name: Xylenia
Age: 20
Race: Demon
Class: The Fallen Monarch
Eye Color: Black <…True color locked for the time being…>
Hair Color: Black
|| E N D||
....
[[Chapter 0019 – Entering The Training Forest
Level: 0 (100 XP to level 1)
HP: 25
STAM: 29
|| E N D||
]]
….
[[ Secondary Stats:
STR: 10
DEX: 11
INT: 30
WIS: 25
END: 60
CH: 1
LCK: 6
|| E N D ||
]]
...
[[Combat Stats:
AP: 35
MP: 50
DEF: 20
AGL: 8
CRR: 7%
EVA: 5%
|| E N D ||
]]
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"This…"
Xylen's heart couldn't help but pound as he analyzed the numbers.
His stats had increased significantly thanks to the potion he had just taken. Yet what stood out the most was the balance between physical and magical capabilities.
Unlike standard classes, which specialized in one form of combat, he had the potential to master both.
Although Xylen had already realized this after examining his skills earlier, he had initially believed he would have no choice but to rely on magic since his stats weren't suited for combat techniques. But now…
A slow smile crept across his face, mumbling: "Looks like luck is finally on my side."
Done, he stretched and dismissed the status window.
Just at that moment, Lilith returned, a long black bag slung over her shoulder, the sheer weight of it making her movements slightly strained, but she carried it without complaint.
Without needing to be told, Xylen realized that the long bag must contain the weapons she had gone for.
"The coast is clear, my lord," she said respectfully, her voice barely above a whisper.
Hearing her, Xylen nodded his head and pushed himself to his feet.
The sensation of walking and moving freely sent a strange thrill through him.
After spending the last few days that felt like forever confined to his wheelchair and immobile to use his limbs, he once again appreciated the ability to walk, even though he had been accustomed to it in his previous life.
Just as he was about to step forward, however, Lilith suddenly produced a long black cloak from her embrace and unfolded it with care.
Xylen's brow couldn't help but furrowed slightly at this. "You want to use that?"
Lilith hesitated for a second before finally;
"My lord, although no one would recognize you since you've been absent from the public eye since you were two, your appearance… however, would undoubtedly draw attention if you went out like this. So, I believe it would be best to conceal it for now," she explained respectfully
Xylen blinked, completely caught off guard. "My appearance would stand out?"
He had no idea what Lilith meant, but since time was short, he allowed her to drape the cloak over him and before long, the heavy fabric was concealing his frame.
Although it would make him stand more out, according to his thought, no one would know the person under and they would merely be curious.
On the other hand, Lilith examined her work and nodded her head in satisfaction. "Please follow me, my lord."
Without another word, she led Xylen out of the mansion and into the village.
As soon as Xylen stepped outside, however, his eyes widened in surprise and he couldn't help but raise a brow.
The village was a desolate ruin, resembling the aftermath of a war.
Buildings stood in ruins, their former grandeur now reduced to nothing but emptiness. The streets were cracked and uneven, covered in debris and the remnants of the collapsed buildings.
The air reeked of decay, darkness, creepiness, and hopelessness, looking completely uninviting.
The demons that moved through the ruins were not the fearsome known about in the past.
Although it was clear at a glance that they were demons… from their horns, tails, body shapes, and faces, they appeared weak and exhausted, with emaciated bodies and eyes void of life and hope.
Some were curled up against walls, too exhausted to move and simply waiting for death. Others toiled aimlessly, gathering whatever scraps they could find, their shoulders hunched under an invisible weight.
These were demons who had become hopeless, appearing like slaves.
They resemble demons who had already accepted their fate, unlike the evil, hateful, and disgusting creatures known to the world.
Staring at this scene, Xylen couldn't help but feel an odd chill crawl up his spine.
This was never the image of demons the world had painted.
Although he wasn't expecting their world to be colorful and filled with life, he had never expected the occupants to look this hopeless and lifeless.
"The Celestial Clan and my uncle turned this village into this state, didn't they?" he asked, his voice eerily calm.
Lilith, walking beside him instantly clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white and then she nodded her head.
"Yes, my lord." She replied, her voice trembling with barely contained rage.
Xylen exhaled slowly.
He did not react… not because he didn't care, but because he knew none of this was real.
Even so…
'Everything about Rex Corp is just too extraordinary, from their technological skill to story writing, and scene,' he sighed again before shaking his head.
With this, he continued walking, taking in every ruined building, every empty expression, and every sign of suffering.
Before long, they reached the outskirts of the village, standing before the entrance to the dark and creepy-looking forest.
Lilith abruptly stopped, a hesitant and pleading expression appearing on her face.
Xylen could already tell what she was about to say.
He raised a hand before she could speak. "I told you… I have already made up my mind."
Lilith's lips parted slightly, wanting to convince Xylen and tell him he was being too hasty, but then she hesitated.
Before she could speak again, Xylen glanced at the ruined village behind him one last time and let out a bitter chuckle. "What's the use of being alive if I can't even protect what belongs to me?"
"This…" Lilith's eyes widened.
She repeated his words under her breath, her expression shifting as if something had finally clicked within her.
"I get you now, my lord," she murmured, her eyes burning with a new light.
"Huh?"
Xylen arched a brow, taken aback by Lilith's sudden shift.
He couldn't help but wonder how his casual remark which he had uttered in order to stop of from trying to convince him changed her this much.
Before he could ask, however, Lilith removed the bag she was carrying from her back and unfastened it.
Inside and neatly arranged were three weapons: a sword, a dagger, and a bow with a quiver of arrows. There were also some sealed jars, bandages, and bottles of water.
"Which weapon do you want, my lord?" She inquired, pointing at the three weapons.
Xylen's eyes swept over them before pointing at the sword without hesitation.
Lilith instantly lifted it and respectfully handed it over.
Just as he was about to take it, however:
[[ System Notice ]]
A mechanical voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
{{ You are about to equip (Iron Fang). Do you want to proceed?
[Yes] [No] }}
'Yes,'
Xylen, already familiar with the system, responded in his mind without hesitation.
In the following second, the cold steel of the sword pressed against his palm, the weight familiar yet foreign.
It was a long, one-handed blade, its surface smooth and gleaming under the dim light.
Although it looked well-crafted, Xylen could tell at a glance that it was nothing more than a standard, low-tier weapon.
'Weapon stats,' he commanded mentally, and in the following second, the information was displayed before his eyes.
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|| W E A P O N – S T A T S ||
Required stats: STR- 7
Weapon Type: One-Handed Sword
Weapon Grade: Common
Attack Power: 8 - 12
Skill: None
|| E N D ||
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Reading it, Xylen couldn't help but make a small sound of approval, then he adjusted his grip on the weapon.
It wasn't much, but considering his situation and level, it was the best thing he could lay his hand upon right now. It's not like he would have been able to use it if he had gotten a stronger weapon.
Moreover, if he had spawned in the beginner village like other players, he would have had to work hard, completing various menial tasks just to earn his first weapon before even beginning training. Yet, he had received one for free.
Just as Xyeln was done reflecting on this, a sudden thought appeared in his mind, and in the following second, his heart skipped and he froze.
Just then Lilith, who was currently equipping her bow and arrow glanced at him.
"My lord…?" She drawled, staring at Xylen in concern.
Xylen was silent for a moment before he finally braced himself. "Did my village have an armory?"
Lilith blinked in surprise at this obvious question before nodding her head. "Yes, my lord."
Xylen's heart leaped in hope and he almost jumped. But just then;
"However, most of the well-graded weapons were destroyed eighteen years ago in the clash between us and the evil Celestial Clan… and the remaining ones had been taken by your uncle and distributed to his minions to terrorize the villagers."
"This…"
Xylen's expression darkened.
"Celestial Clan and my uncle again…" he forced out, gnashing his teeth with rage.
He had just briefly entertained the idea of raiding the armory, selling off any useless weapons he found, and keeping the best ones for himself, using that as a means to earn money and strengthen himself. But now…
"Let's go," he said flatly, unwillingly dropping the subject.
Lilith, though wanting to console Xylen, knowing he was affected by the issue with the armory hesitated for a moment before nodding her head.
"I will protect you, my lord."
Then, together, the two stepped into the darkness of the forest.